The first horse bred by legendary Canadian breeder E. P. Taylor, Windfields was a most auspicious omen for the future. Although not a great horse by international standards, he was probably the most talented Canadian runner of his time. He went on to become a good stallion and left his mark on Thoroughbred breeding through his daughters Victoriana and Windy Answer.
Race record
75 starts, 19 wins, 10 seconds, 5 thirds, US$83,380, SSI 3.61
1945:
1946:
Honors
Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame (inducted in 2002)
As an individual
A muscular, lengthy, beautifully balanced bay colt, Windfields had a well laid shoulder and clean legs. He typically preferred to run on or near the lead but could come from off the pace.
As a stallion
According to The Jockey Club, Windfields sired 114 winners (79.7%) and 15 stakes winners (10.5%) from 143 named foals.
Notable progeny
Canadian Champ (CAN), Victoriana (CAN)
Notable progeny of daughters
Ciboulette (CAN), Cool Reception (CAN), Northern Queen (CAN), Rouletabille (CAN), Victoria Park (CAN)
Connections
Foaled in Ontario, Windfields was bred and owned by Cosgrave Stable (E. P. Taylor and James Cosgrave), passing to the ownership of Taylor’s Windfields Farm when Cosgrave was dissolved in 1945. He was trained by Bert Alexandra. Windfields entered stud in Canada in 1950 and died at Windfields Farm in 1971. He is buried in the main horse cemetery on the grounds of the Windfields Estate, Ontario, Canada.
Pedigree notes
Windfields is inbred 5x5x4 to two-time American Horse of the Year Commando. He is a half brother to stakes-placed Nandina (by Bull Page), third dam of Grade 3 winners Icanseetherain and Move and of Never Was, the champion imported 2-year-old filly of 1992 in the Dominican Republic.
Windfields’s dam Nandi won 12 of her 28 starts and is a half sister to Festivities (by Sir Gallahad III), second dam of 1953 Vineland Handicap winner Mi-Marigold and third dam of 1975 Puerto Rican champion imported 2-year-old filly Amalia R. and Grade 2 winner Swinging Hal. She is also a half sister to Mafilli (by Alcazar), dam of the minor stakes winner Great West (by Rustom Sirdar). The sisters are out of the English import Golden Feast (by the good English juvenile Golden Sun), a modest handicapper in her native land and a full sister to Anchorsholm, dam of stakes winner Bull Whip (by Bull Dog). Produced from the Desmond mare Mi-Careme, Golden Feast is also a half sister to Marcareme (by Marcovil), second dam of 1938 Pimlico Oaks winner Sketchbook, and to Carene (by Grey Leg), second dam of 1930 Wilson Stakes winner Battleship Gray.
Fun facts
Last updated: July 26, 2023
Race record
75 starts, 19 wins, 10 seconds, 5 thirds, US$83,380, SSI 3.61
1945:
- Won Victoria Stakes (CAN, 5FD, Old Woodbine; new track record :59)
- Also set new track record of :58-4/5 for 5FD at Old Woodbine
1946:
- Won Breeders' Stakes (CAN, 8.5FD, Old Woodbine)
- 2nd Dwyer Stakes (USA, 10FD, Aqueduct)
Honors
Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame (inducted in 2002)
As an individual
A muscular, lengthy, beautifully balanced bay colt, Windfields had a well laid shoulder and clean legs. He typically preferred to run on or near the lead but could come from off the pace.
As a stallion
According to The Jockey Club, Windfields sired 114 winners (79.7%) and 15 stakes winners (10.5%) from 143 named foals.
Notable progeny
Canadian Champ (CAN), Victoriana (CAN)
Notable progeny of daughters
Ciboulette (CAN), Cool Reception (CAN), Northern Queen (CAN), Rouletabille (CAN), Victoria Park (CAN)
Connections
Foaled in Ontario, Windfields was bred and owned by Cosgrave Stable (E. P. Taylor and James Cosgrave), passing to the ownership of Taylor’s Windfields Farm when Cosgrave was dissolved in 1945. He was trained by Bert Alexandra. Windfields entered stud in Canada in 1950 and died at Windfields Farm in 1971. He is buried in the main horse cemetery on the grounds of the Windfields Estate, Ontario, Canada.
Pedigree notes
Windfields is inbred 5x5x4 to two-time American Horse of the Year Commando. He is a half brother to stakes-placed Nandina (by Bull Page), third dam of Grade 3 winners Icanseetherain and Move and of Never Was, the champion imported 2-year-old filly of 1992 in the Dominican Republic.
Windfields’s dam Nandi won 12 of her 28 starts and is a half sister to Festivities (by Sir Gallahad III), second dam of 1953 Vineland Handicap winner Mi-Marigold and third dam of 1975 Puerto Rican champion imported 2-year-old filly Amalia R. and Grade 2 winner Swinging Hal. She is also a half sister to Mafilli (by Alcazar), dam of the minor stakes winner Great West (by Rustom Sirdar). The sisters are out of the English import Golden Feast (by the good English juvenile Golden Sun), a modest handicapper in her native land and a full sister to Anchorsholm, dam of stakes winner Bull Whip (by Bull Dog). Produced from the Desmond mare Mi-Careme, Golden Feast is also a half sister to Marcareme (by Marcovil), second dam of 1938 Pimlico Oaks winner Sketchbook, and to Carene (by Grey Leg), second dam of 1930 Wilson Stakes winner Battleship Gray.
Fun facts
- Windfields was named for Taylor’s Toronto-area farm, which in turn was named for the constant winds blowing across it. Taylor later gave the name to what had been the National Stud Farm near Oshawa, Ontario, which became the headquarters for the bulk of Windfields Farms’ operations; still later, the name was also applied to the property Taylor purchased in Cecil County, Maryland, which started out as a training center and became the southern wing of Windfields’ breeding operations.
- Windfields’ dam Nandi was one of the first five horses claimed for the nascent Cosgrave Stable on April 27, 1936, by Bert Alexandra.
- Windfields became the first horse to ship to Canada by air in 1946, returning from a foray into American racing to get to Old Woodbine just in time for the Breeders’ Stakes.
- Windfields was ineligible for the King’s Plate of 1946, but he defeated King’s Plate winner Kingarvie by five lengths when the two met in the 1946 Breeders’ Stakes.
Last updated: July 26, 2023